According to the calendar, summer doesn't officially end til September 22, but for all practical purposes it's quickly winding down. Most kids in the Billings area will head back to school in less than two weeks and before we know it the leaves will be dropping from trees and Old Man Winter will come shuffling back into Montana. Before the summer season wraps up, you now have one more really great reason to head to Red Lodge in August.

Credit: Michael Foth TSM
Credit: Michael Foth TSM
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The inaugural Red Lodge Summer Fest is on August 21st.

I'm actually somewhat surprised that Red Lodge didn't already have an annual "summer fair" type of event. The charming community seems like the ideal location for such an activity. Gena Burghoff from Red Lodge's Prerogative Kitchen is the organizer for the event, which promises live music on two stages, dining in the street, vendors, crafts, a kid's area, and more.

Photo by Sam Dan Truong on Unsplash
Photo by Sam Dan Truong on Unsplash
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Red Lodge businesses have taken a hit this year.

The city relies heavily on tourism and between the flooding and the aftermath that included Beartooth Pass being closed for 1/3rd of their season, many businesses have been hit hard. Some stores and restaurants reported being down 60% this spring. Burghoff said that weekends have now rebounded to 100%, but the impact has been costly and weekday traffic remains slow. Summer Fest is also a flood relief fundraiser for the community, with something pretty cool... on August 21 Broadway will be closed to vehicle traffic and become pedestrian only between 8th and 14th Street.

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Image by Season Red Lodge Events, used with permission
Image by Season Red Lodge Events, used with permission
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Get the $5 wristband to sip an adult beverage while you stroll Broadway.

Almost every city and town in Montana has an open container law. Somehow, the organizers of Summer Fest received approval from the City of Red Lodge to get an exception during Summer Fest. From noon to 9 pm you can enjoy the festivities in the street with a cocktail, beer, or wine. There will be two outdoor stages with live music (one at each end of the street) and organizers said to expect other fun surprises. The event is family-friendly and you can find more details about Red Lodge Summer Fest HERE.

Photo by Magnus Lunay on Unsplash
Photo by Magnus Lunay on Unsplash
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Here's the band lineup on the outdoor stages.

Kid Valance - folk singer-songwriter

Lee and Charlie - High-energy classic rock

Danielle Egnew - Out of Billings and performs Rock, Folk, and just has a great vibe

Wasted Potential - Formerly Pamela Ander'Sons High energy family band out of Red Lodge

The Velvet Underdog - Members from Cody and Red Lodge, high-energy rock

Fracture - All local Red Lodge Band that rocks the 90's tunes

 Closing out the music in the Historic ROMAN Theater

Jerry Joseph - Has over 30 albums formerly of the Jack Mormons, this cult favorite just got off tour with Drive-by Truckers in Europe. Many of Jerry’s songs were recorded by the band Widespread Panic. Jerry will be the closing artist in the ROMAN Theater at 9 pm.

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